CHAPTER 3 / FACULTY APPOINTMENT, TENURE, PROMOTION, and RETIREMENT POLICIES
A / APPOINTMENT AND REAPPOINTMENT POLICIES
3.01 / Appointment Notice
3.02
/ Term of Appointment
3.021 / Academic Year Appointments
3.022
/ Annual Appointments
3.023 / Summer Sessions Appointments
3.024
/ Employment Oath
3.025
/ Emeritus Appointment
3.03 / Faculty Ranks and Titles
3.04
/ Types of Appointments
3.05 / Special Conditions of Appointment
3.051 / Joint Faculty Appointment
3.06 / Notice of Nonreappointment
3.07
/ Recruitment Policy
3.08 / Policy Concerning Employment of Relatives
A / APPOINTMENT AND REAPPOINTMENT POLICIES
3.01 /
Appointment Notice
Faculty appointments are formalized by an
appointment form or notice that states the term of employment, salary, faculty rank, and
appointment status. Appointment notices for the next academic year are issued by the
President's Office as soon after the legislative session as possible.
3.021
/ Academic Year Appointments
The following guideline on academic year appointments was adopted by the Council of
Presidents on February 16, 1978:
Academic year appointments are for a period of approximately nine months beginning just prior to fall registration and extending through spring Commencement. Faculty duties include teaching, advising and counseling, research, scholarly activities, other university duties, and community and public service. Periods when classes are not in session are normally devoted to the above listed non teaching functions or to other specially scheduled activities.
3.022 /
Annual Appointments
Some faculty and most administrative personnel receive annual appointments,
including vacation and holidays as described in Section 4.
3.023
/ Summer Session Appointments
Some members of the faculty are appointed to teach in the Summer Session. Assignment to
Summer Session teaching is a matter of college and departmental policy and decision,
subject to guidelines established by the director of the Summer Session.
3.024 /
Employment Oath
Kansas law requires that all state employees sign the following Employment Oath:
I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Kansas, and faithfully discharge the duties of my office or employment. So help me God. (The final sentence may be deleted.)
The oath is included in papers that must be signed at the time of employment. It must be on file before any checks in payment of salary or wages may be issued by the state treasurer.
3.025 /
Emeritus Appointment
Emeritus status recognizes meritorious service to the university and may be conferred upon
a retiring individual who has served The Wichita State University for a minimum of ten
continuous years. To be considered in the determination of meritorious service are the
person's contributions in the areas of teaching, scholarly activity, service or
leadership.
Recommendations for the award of emeritus status must be made by the department, with the concurrence of the appropriate Dean, and forwarded to the University President.
Exceptions to the above criteria may be granted by the University President. (3-89)
3.03 /
Faculty Ranks and Titles
The principal titles and ranks granted by the University to academic faculty are those
normally bestowed by institutions of higher education: professor, associate professor,
assistant professor, and instructor. Full-time faculty holding less than the minimum
credentials for instructor rank are occasionally appointed as assistant instructors.
Titles used to designate part-time instructional personnel include lecturer and
adjunct/faculty associate. The term visiting is used in conjunction with the basic
academic titles for individuals who join the faculty for a short period of time, usually
with the intent of returning to a position at another academic institution.
The University has various special professorships that it bestows upon faculty in recognition of distinguished scholarly achievement and distinguished contribution to the University. The special professorships include Regents distinguished professorships, established by the Kansas Board of Regents; Trustees distinguished professorships, funded by the Board of Trustees; University professorships, funded by the University; distinguished professorships, endowed by donors or the Endowment Association; and professorships emeriti, awarded to outstanding retired faculty.
3.04 / Types
of Appointments
Faculty appointments are of three basic types: temporary, probationary, and with tenure.
Temporary appointments are for a specified period only, and carry no expectation of
reappointment. Adjunct/faculty associates and lecturers have temporary appointments for
one semester, subject to renewal on the basis of need for instruction. Probationary
appointments are those appointments that may, on the basis of continuing satisfactory
performance, lead to review for the award of tenure. However, probationary appointments
carry no expectation or promise that review for the award of tenure will be undertaken or
that tenure will be awarded. Probationary appointments are reviewed on an annual basis,
and may or may not be renewed. Probationary appointments will not be continued for more
than seven years. Tenured appointments will be annually renewed unless the faculty member
is dismissed through proper actions and procedures.
3.05
/ Special Conditions of Appointment
Any special conditions of appointment will be included in the appointment form
signed by the employee. Special conditions of appointment include but are not limited to:
date by which a terminal degree and/or field registry is expected and the consequences of
non-attainment, or special conditions for nomination for tenure review consideration (such
as an additional degree or field registry). It is the responsibility of the employee to
inform the department and dean of accomplishment of the conditions of appointment.
3.051 /
Joint Faculty Appointment
A primary academic objective of Wichita State University is the search for and
development of new knowledge which will enhance institutional programs and contribute to
the University's research responsibilities. Recognizing the contribution of
interdisciplinary studies in meeting the objective, the University may offer joint
appointments for faculty where appropriate.
The joint appointment may provide greater program flexibility, the enhancement of intellectual stimulation, and broader insights into matters under faculty investigation and research.
3.06 /
Notice of Nonreappointment
The Kansas Board of Regents has adopted the following policy regarding timely
notice of nonreappointment for faculty members holding probationary appointments.
Notice of nonreappointment should be given in writing in accordance with the following standards; however, such standards shall not be applicable to any administrative assignments:
1. Not later than March 1 of the first academic year of service, if the appointment expires at the end of that year; or if a one-year appointment terminates during an academic year, at least 3 months in advance of its termination.
2. Not later than December 15 of the second academic year of service, if the appointment expires at the end of that year; or, if an initial two-year appointment terminates during an academic year, at least 6 months in advance of its termination.
3. At least 12 months before the expiration of an appointment after two or more years in the institution.
These statements shall apply even during periods of declared financial exigency, unless impossible, in which case notice shall be provided as early as possible.
3.07 /
Recruitment Policy
The university has established procedures and policies concerning the recruitment
of new faculty. These procedures and policies can be obtained from the Affirmative Action
Office. All units of the university are responsible for following those procedures and
policies. The academic rank conferred at the time of initial appointment should be
consistent with the appropriate college guidelines for promotion to that rank.
Negotiations looking to the possible appointment for the following fall of persons who are already faculty members of other institutions, in active service or on leave of absence and not on terminal appointment, should be begun and completed as early as possible in the academic year. It is desirable that, when feasible, the faculty member who has been approached with regard to another position inform the appropriate officers of his institution when such negotiations are in progress. The conclusion of a binding agreement for the faculty member to accept an appointment elsewhere should always be followed by prompt notice to his institution.
3.08
/ Policy Concerning Employment of Relatives
Persons may be appointed to classified or unclassified positions without regard to family
relationship to other members of faculty or staff. If a person is in a position that
requires an evaluation on a personnel decision such as those concerning appointment,
retention, promotion, tenure, or salary of a close relative, such condition shall be
deemed a conflict of interest, and that person shall not participate in such a decision,
and that person shall not participate in any group or body that is considering any such
decision.
These procedures are adapted from sections 10 and 2f, respectively, of the 1972 AAUP Recommended Institutional Regulations on Academic Freedom and Tenure of the American Association of University Professors.
[Adopted by the University Senate on 4/28/80 and 5/12/80. Adopted by the General Faculty on 9/15/80.]
[NOTE: The Dismissal for Cause Policy
in the University Policies
and Procedures Manual is in conflict with the above policy and is not
approved by the Faculty on the grounds that it violates our due process and
tenure rights. Adopted by the Faculty Senate unanimously 11/9/98.
The Faculty Senate has adopted a new policy
regarding Dismissal for
Cause. This policy was passed by the Senate 10/97, and is pending
presidential approval. It is contained in the Appendix.]
Wichita State University
Faculty Senate
1845 Fairmont
Box 111
Wichita, Kansas 67260-0111
(316) 978-3504
Email: bobbi.dreiling@wichita.edu